RADIO
Daniel Espino Could Be Part of the Guardians Rotation in 2027
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Daniel Espino could potentially be a candidate to join the team's starting rotation in 2027, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Meisel reports that the Guardians' decision-makers are currently unsure whether to keep Espino in a bullpen role or attempt to stretch him out as a starter. A former top prospect, the 25-year-old has battled numerous injury setbacks in his career, including two shoulder surgeries. He finally made his way to the big leagues in 2026, recording a 4.11 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 25 strikeouts across 15 1/3 innings (14 games). Espino averaged 98.5 miles per hour on his fastball, and he has routinely posted impressive strikeout rates when healthy in his pro career. If the Guardians decide his arm can handle a starter's workload, he could be an intriguing target for fantasy managers.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Ralphy Velazquez Could Be a First Base Option for the Guardians in 2027
Cleveland Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said that first base/outfield prospect Ralphy Velazquez could be in the organization's big-league plans in 2027, per Joe Noga of cleveland.com. Velazquez put together a monster year in the minors in 2026, hitting .290/.379/.548 with 29 home runs, 93 RBI, 78 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 538 plate appearances split between Double-A and Triple-A. The 21-year-old showed off significant power upside for a young player, posting a 13.7% barrel rate at Triple-A. Cleveland does not have a clear answer at first base heading into 2027, as trade deadline acquisition Nathaniel Lowe is set to hit free agency. If Velazquez puts together a strong Spring Training, he could be a riser in fantasy drafts ahead of 2027.
Source: cleveland.com - Joe Noga
Source: cleveland.com - Joe Noga
Steven Kwan Could Be on the Trade Block this Winter
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan could be a candidate to be traded this upcoming offseason, per Robert Murray of FanSided. Across 637 plate appearances in 2026, Kwan slashed. 282/.382/.349 with three home runs, 32 RBI, 80 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. While he does not provide much power, Kwan rarely strikes out and provides teams with elite defense in the outfield. He's been a staple at the top of the Guardians lineup for several seasons now, but he's set to hit free agency at the end of the 2027 season. Cleveland has a long history of trading players before they hit their final season of team control, which could mean that Kwan is unlikely to make it through the offseason without a trade. If Kwan ends up in a better offensive environment, his fantasy outlook could be slightly improved.
Source: FanSided - Robert Murray
Source: FanSided - Robert Murray
Stephen Vogt Says He's Staying With Guardians
Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that he will return to the team next season after losing to the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series this year, according to The Associated Press. "I'm here," Vogt said at a news conference Thursday. "I'm coming back." There were rumblings that Vogt could leave Cleveland for the Seattle Mariners' managerial opening so that he could be closer to his family's home in Washington. The former big-league catcher has led the Guardians to a division crown in each of his three seasons at the helm and has been named American League Manager of the Year twice. The 41-year-old said he has not been contacted by the Mariners, who fired Dan Wilson last month following the disappointing year after Seattle made it to the AL Championship Series in 2025. Although the M's have not reached out to Vogt, it is possible that they contact Cleveland with a trade proposal.
Source: The Associated Press
Source: The Associated Press
Kahlil Watson Undergoes Sports-Hernia Surgery
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Kahlil Watson underwent sports-hernia surgery on Tuesday, Oct. 20, to fix his bilateral core-muscle injury, according to the team. Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia recommended a surgical intervention to address the injury after it was diagnosed as a sports hernia. Watson will start his rehab this week in Goodyear, Arizona, and his return-to-play timeline is expected to be around eight to 12 weeks. The 23-year-old former first-rounder by the Miami Marlins in 2021 made his major-league debut with Cleveland this year and played in 27 games (91 plate appearances), going 21-for-88 (.239) with just one home run, 11 RBI, nine stolen bases, and six runs scored. In 98 games at Triple-A Columbus, Watson hit .247/.361/.455 with an .816 OPS, 19 homers, 60 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored. He is considered the team's No. 14 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he should be fully healthy at spring training in 2027 as he competes for a spot on Cleveland's Opening Day roster. Despite being only 5-foot-9 and 179 pounds, Watson has raw power from the left side and plenty of speed to spare.
Source: GuardsInsider
Source: GuardsInsider
Austin Hedges Hoping to Return to Guardians in 2027
Following his team's ALCS loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges said that he wants to return to Cleveland for the 2027 season, per Mason Horodyski of News 5 Cleveland. Hedges has long been regarded as one of the better defensive catchers in baseball, but he's now entering free agency coming off his best offensive season since the early portion of his career. Across 247 plate appearances in 2026, the 34-year-old hit .247/.325/.377 with six home runs, 25 RBI, 25 runs scored, and one stolen base. Regardless of where Hedges signs in 2027, he's unlikely to provide fantasy-relevant production. However, if Hedges returns to Cleveland, his presence could put a ceiling on the playing time of fellow Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey.
Source: News 5 Cleveland - Mason Horodyski
Source: News 5 Cleveland - Mason Horodyski
Shawn Armstrong Getting Another Opening Assignment in ALCS
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for the Guardians again in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians are going to stick with what is working, as Armstrong has given up two hits with six strikeouts and no walks in 7 2/3 scoreless innings so far this postseason. He threw a scoreless inning in Game 4 and 1 1/3 scoreless innings in Game 5 on Sunday, so Monday will be his third straight appearance in the best-of-seven series. The 36-year-old veteran and former 18th-round pick by Cleveland in 2011 from East Carolina University went 2-1 during the regular season with a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 34:19 K:BB in 35 1/3 relief innings in his 12th year in the major leagues. Armstrong most likely will only go an inning or two at the most as he appears in the playoffs for the third straight day while trying to force a Game 7 in Tampa, with a trip to the World Series to face the Milwaukee Brewers on the line.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Parker Messick Struggles in ALCS Game 5 Defeat on Sunday
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick did not have his best day in his team's 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday. The 25-year-old pitched just two innings, throwing 57 pitches and allowing five hits, two walks, and two earned runs. Messick emerged as Cleveland's ace during the regular season, recording a 12-9 record with a 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 193 strikeouts across 186 1/3 innings (32 games). However, the young lefty has not been quite as effective in the postseason so far. Messick is 0-3 in his three playoff starts, allowing 17 hits, 10 walks, and nine runs (six earned) across 13 2/3 innings. Cleveland will now need to win two straight games in Tampa to advance past the Rays and move on to the World Series.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Travis Bazzana Hits First Playoff Home Run in Loss to Rays
Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana went 2-for-3 at the plate with his first career postseason home run as the Guardians came up short 7-3 in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night. Bazzana's home run came in the seventh inning, when the Guardians put up a little rally, but it was not nearly enough as the Rays tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. "We've been in situations where it gets tough, where it gets tighter and it gets harder a little closer to the end of the season," Bazzana said. "You've just got to fight for that next win." The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2024 from Oregon State has struggled so far in his first nine postseason games, going 6-for-30 (.200) with the home run, two RBI, four runs scored, a stolen base, four walks, and six strikeouts in 34 plate appearances. The Australian native has been hot since the start of September, though, slashing .280/.365/.613 with six home runs, 15 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a stolen base.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Shawn Armstrong Serving as Opener in Game 4 of ALCS
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shawn Armstrong will serve as the opener for Cleveland in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night in Cleveland against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Armstrong will not go more than a couple of innings in this one, with Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo being the most likely options to pitch in bulk relief as the Guardians look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Armstrong has been money for the Guards this postseason, throwing 5 1/3 shutout innings with just one hit allowed, no walks, and five strikeouts while picking up one hold in his four appearances out of the bullpen. He has very little experience against the Rays from the regular season, but it was not pretty in the two-thirds of an inning when he faced them, as he surrendered three earned runs on one hit walk walking two. All 41 of Armstrong's appearances during the regular season came in relief, and he went 2-1 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Petey Halpin Comes Through for Cleveland in ALCS Game 3 Victory
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Petey Halpin was the hero of his team's 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday, slugging a go-ahead, two-run home run off Rays right-hander Griffin Jax in the fifth inning. It was Halpin's lone hit of the game, but it put Cleveland ahead for good and allowed the Guardians to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Halpin is on Cleveland's playoff roster for his speed and defense in center field, as he hit .225/.268/.326 with four home runs, 14 RBI, 27 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 195 plate appearances in the regular season. However, the 24-year-old has been an unlikely contributor in the postseason, logging three extra-base hits in 13 plate appearances. Given his play thus far, Halpin may profile as Cleveland's starting center fielder the rest of the way in the ALCS.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Gavin Williams Continues Strikeout Dominance in ALCS Game 3 Win
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams picked up his second postseason win in his team's 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday, allowing two hits, a walk, and two earned runs while striking out nine over five innings. The 27-year-old emerged as one of baseball's top strikeout arms during the regular season, posting a 14-8 record with a 3.76 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 248 strikeouts over 184 1/3 innings (32 starts). Williams has been absolutely essential to Cleveland's postseason success as well, allowing just eight hits and four earned runs while striking out 33 across 16 2/3 innings. Williams has struck out a ridiculous 51.6% of the batters he's faced so far in the playoffs. If the ALCS gets that far, Williams would likely line up as Cleveland's Game 7 starter.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Parker Messick Picks Up Loss in Game 2 of ALCS
Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitcher Parker Messick picked up the loss in Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday night despite not allowing an earned run to the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays broke through with three runs in the fourth inning after an error from third baseman Jose Ramirez opened the floodgates. Messick, pitching in front of friends and family near his hometown, allowed six hits and walked two batters, but struck out three. It was clearly not Messick's sharpest outing of the postseason, as the rookie has been very good lately in the playoffs. Despite not having earned runs in his box score, Messick was not at his best over his 82 pitches with 47 for strikes.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Parker Messick to Start Game 2 of ALCS Against Rays
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick has been tabbed to start Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday night on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Messick is a Tampa Bay area native and went to high school around 45 minutes from Tropicana Field. The 25-year-old southpaw made his first start in Tampa for the Guardians last year and allowed just one run over six innings. In late July this year, Messick allowed just one run in his 7 2/3 innings pitched. "He's had two straight very good starts here in front of his family and friends. It's always a special boost when you get to play at home as a player," manager Stephen Vogt said. Messick was a first-time All-Star in 2026 and went 12-9 in the regular season with a 2.56 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 193:49 K:BB in 186 1/3 innings in 32 starts in his second year in the majors. Messick is hoping to turn things around in his first taste of the postseason after giving up four earned runs with six walks and 11 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings in two starts against the Chicago White Sox in the AL Division Series.
Source: ESPN.com - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN.com - Jesse Rogers
Foster Griffin Will Start Game 1 of ALCS Against Rays
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin will start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series for the Guardians on Monday night on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Nick Camino of WKYC. In his postseason debut in Game 3 of the AL Division Series, Griffin allowed an earned run on two hits while walking none and striking out seven in just 2 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox in a 9-3 victory. Griffin was a first-time All-Star during the 2026 season, going 15-6 with a 3.60 ERA (3.96 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP, with a career-high 158 strikeouts and 45 walks in 172 2/3 innings over 31 starts with the Guardians and Washington Nationals. He went 3-3 with a 5.19 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 42:15 K:BB in 43 1/3 frames in nine starts with the Guardians to close out the season. Griffin did not face the Rays at all during the regular season. The 31-year-old southpaw went 8-4 with a 3.76 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 84:22 K:BB in 88 2/3 innings over 16 starts on the road this year.
Source: WKYC - Nick Camino
Source: WKYC - Nick Camino
